SSI adds news members from Queensland and Tasmania

Settlement Services International (SSI) has boosted its membership with the addition of two new members: QLD-based Yumba Meta and MRC Northern Tasmania.

SSI began 21 years ago as the umbrella organisation for migrant resource centres and multicultural services in NSW, with partnerships and collaborations seen as crucial to meeting the great need for the services SSI delivered.

SSI’s member expansion began in 2020 with the recognition that the membership needed to better reflect the communities SSI worked with, its geographical reach and service delivery portfolio.

As half of the SSI Board were member directors, diversification was also essential to ensure that SSI remained governed by local organisations embedded in the communities SSI supports.

Ella Dixon, CEO of MRC Northern Tasmania, said, “We are delighted to join SSI, an organisation that shares our vision, values and commitment to a vibrant and inclusive society, where people can participate in all aspects of life and reach their potential.

“MRC Northern Tasmania has been most impressed with SSI’s ethos of approach to working with a network of services around Australia, respecting and appreciating the important role of place-based organisations in regional areas. Furthermore, despite its size, SSI has remained an organisation with heart – another alignment that is important to us.”

Dushy Thangiah, CEO of Yumba Meta Limited (YML), said, “SSI is a highly respected organisation that operates widely across Australia. Through the Telstra Businesswomen’s Awards, I connected and built a great relationship with outstanding SSI leaders like Violet Roumeliotis and Gail Ker. The values, vast experience and connections of SSI will assist YML in many ways to improve service to our local community. Together we can be one voice for our fellow citizens who are unable to advocate for themselves.”

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said, “SSI welcomes the new members and looks forward to collaboration and increased connection to community, to better serve the needs of vulnerable people.”

About MRC Northern Tasmania

MRC Northern Tasmania is a registered charity, established in 1982 to facilitate the effective settlement of refugees and migrants living in North and North West Tasmania.

For 40 years, the Centre has remained true to its mission and is a key part of a large network of migrant services in Australia, assisting people from CALD backgrounds with their immediate and longer-term needs to facilitate successful settlement.

Currently, MRC Northern Tasmania provides a range of contemporary services from settlement services through to disability support. Community capacity building, case management, information and referral and special projects are high priorities, and include a multicultural playgroup, youth activities, learner driver program, pre-employment training support and mentoring, and assistance to find employment.

About Yumba Meta

Yumba-Meta Limited (YML) is a not-for-profit registered charity established in 1973. YML provides secure and affordable accommodation options and culturally appropriate support services to vulnerable people, particularly First Nations people.

YML’s primary function is to support people to access appropriate housing and to link in with the broader service system to address their housing, health, social and emotional needs in a culturally appropriate manner to have equality and thrive.